MSR - FreeLite 2

Zpacks Plex? Hmg mid? Around 450g.  X-mids are less primitive and weight a bit more.  These tents all use trekking poles and will be more stable than a freestanding or semi freestanding tent in this weight category.  I used a MSR freelite 2 on a bike trip which is very similar to the Nemo hornet.  It was fine until it was windy then it just blew flat instantly so I don't think it reliable for mountains..

I definitely struggled to get a proper pitch. It's easier with a trekking pole or adjustable carbon pole (the SMD pole is absolutely not the right choice it's too flimsy). I've had to reattach the front guyline, it tore off and the zippers seem pretty flimsy but that's par for the course with tents like this.  The bathtub invariably lies flat at the back of the tent so I imagine you could get some water in there if it really poured but maybe that's to do with pitch.  It's shape gives you some extra room but in practice it's fairly negligible because the back and side walls are sloped more than a typical mid. I thought it would be good for camping with a dog but the back wall is so sloped that there isn't really a lot of space for my medium sized dog (she pushes the back wall up with her back even curled in a ball). I don't think it's bad but by the time you include all the stakes it needs, and add up all the downsides I tend to just take my freelite (it only weighs a bit more and is way more comfortable/drier) or a dyneema mid.

Lighter is always nicer especially if you are interested in getting off road.  I use either an MSR freelite 2 or a hmg mid 1 depending on my needs.  More and more I just default to the mid because 500 grams is 500 grams. 

I use a MSR freelite 2 or a hmg mid 1 depending on how much I feel like carrying...

I have an REI half dome 2 for car camping and it is really bomb. I use MSR Freelyte2 for backpacking.

I have the MRS Freelyte 2 and it is more like 1.75 person. It's great for me and the dog and if my SO and I were not small people it would be untenable. I can't imagine 2 actual men sharing this tent. Otherwise it has performed well. Used last year to thru hike the TRT. We had an absolute downpour during that trip, and it worked great. I live in the PNW and have carried it around all season this season. I find it is a tad fragile and use some Tyvek. The dog has a CFC pad and my pack to walk and lay on in the tent so his nails haven't been an issue. I'd say if you want a true 2 person tent this isn't quite it. Otherwise I would buy this tent over again it's a good balance for me between weight and comfort.

I'm going to toss in the MSR Freelyte 2 coming in at 2#. I've been using this now for 2 seasons and it has performed really well. Torrential thunderstorms in the Sierras - yes, misty moody Mt Hood in late fall - yes, defeating the mosquitos on section J - yes. Super easy to pitch. Drawback is I don't feel like it is a true 2p tent. It is perfect for me and the dog (40#). It is cozy for me and my human +1, it only works because we are smaller women. I can't imagine 2 men trying to share this tent.

I carry the MSR Freelyte 2 for like a couple oz more. The X Dome would have to save me more weight for me to shell out the money 😭

I have a 3P one door big Agnes that is plenty big but only has one door. It’s light and holds two wide sleeping mats. I’ve had it for at least ten years and thanks to the footprint it is still in great shape. I wish it had a second door though. I have an MSR semi free standing 2P Freelite. It has two doors and packs super light and pretty small. It’s luxurious for one person but two would be a little tight. With two it needs standard width sleeping pads. For a slight weight penalty I have a Marmot lightweight 2P two door. It’s the most comfortable but a bit heavier. Maybe the limelight? The big Agnes or the Limelight are my preferred with a partner and the MSR when solo or when partnered for long trips. If I were to buy new now and only have one, I’d probably do the Marmot Super Alloy semi free standing (similar to the MSR but a bit more room I think) or a Big Agnes two door lightweight model like the Tiger Wall or Copper Spur. Which of these last two is lighter.

The best bang for your buck when it comes to livable space, size and amount of pockets, ease of setup and teardown, and quality is the **Big Agnes Tiger Wall**, followed closely by the **Big Agnes Copper Spur**. I've tried literally dozens of tents and cannot recommend those enough. They are spendy, but when it comes to a freestanding tent that's durable and reliable, these things are really, really tough to beat. I see them all the time on thru-hikes like thet Colorado Trail, CDT, and PCT where rain / random mountain weather is common. A close second is the semi-freestanding **MSR Freelite 2 or 3**. It's also a solid, bombproof tent that's lightweight. My only real complaint about it is the cutout on one end effectively makes one narrow end a single-wall, which can condensate and get soaked in long periods of rain. But, it also dries fast, and ventilation is so effective it's rarely ever been an issue for me. Final recommendation if you want a non-freestanding tent is the **Six Moons Designs Lunar Duo.** Trekking pole tent that's budget-friendly, comfy, and just big enough for two people. Much more limited headspace compared to the above, but vestibules are large enough that I've never had an issue. Good luck!

I started using an MSR freelite one in my mix and I am quite fond of it. It's semi freestanding. It's gotten me through some severe storms and insects with ease.

I have the MSR Freelite which is a lighter and thinner tent than yours and have had no issues at all. I’m certainly not reckless with the tent but no one would ever accuse me of babying my gear.

MSR or Big Agnes for backpacking get my vote. Mountain Hardwear also make some nice backpacking tents. Nemo and Marmot would be the next ones I look at. I love my MSR and Hardwear tent. if you want to go ultralight, just stick with a two person and you’re gonna be really snug but totally doable if you’re with a partner. I’m 6 foot three and I have slept in a two person MSR tent with another 6 foot three person. Go with the three person if you want to compromise comfort while in the tent for added weight. Chances are you will be splitting the tent up into two separate packs to offset the total weight or you’ll carry it yourself and have the other person carry other stuff to equal out the weight. It may not seem like a huge deal, but when your backpacking every little bit counts.

I use an MSR2 tent. It's not a popular one, but I absolutely love it. I backpack with my dog in all weather and it has been amazing. If you want cheap, I thru hiked with a Naturehike and loved it. I just went in a different direction with this one. I also have a 6 Moons design tarp tent and I use it during the summer only. Word of caution on trekking pole tents: if your trekking pole breaks (and I saw it happen) then you're screwed until you get new poles.

We really love our MSR 2 man tent!

I've got one in my pack right now. Keeps out most mosquitos and even some rain :P